Reception flowers

For many couples the wedding reception is the area they want to concentrate on in terms of decoration and setting the scene. You may be holding your reception at a tried-and-tested venue where hundreds of couples have already celebrated their union, or at a village hall or at home. Wherever you are holding the celebration, and whatever your budget, you can create a unique and personal event that reflects you, your personality, your style, your values and what you represent as a couple. Flowers are a valuable source of inspiration to help you achieve this. You could reverse the advice previously given in this chapter and start with an overview of the event, concentrating on the venue and the style and mood you are trying to creat at the reception and work backwards from there. You may discover that you have been drawn to hold your reception at a particular venue precisely because it reflects and suits the ocasion you are trying to create. Should you find the process is not flowing or ideas are not gelling, ensure you have selected the appropriate venues and professionals to assist you. If something does not feel right, that might be the one thing you need to change to make everything else fall into place.

When decorating your reception, again think of entrances, window sills, as well as fireplaces (in summer), bathrooms, alcoves and hallways. If there are large expanses of space seek your florist's advice on how to fill them. Ask the venue how others decorated them before and ask if they have photographs.

In a marquee you can really go to town as you have a blank canvas. Think of entrances and poles (if not a frame marquee) and consider hanging arrangements. In summer you can bring the garden into the marquee in the form of pots, containers and steel watering cans. Your marquee may be constructed within a garden and that could therefore be your inspiration. If it is your graden, or belongs to your parents, the longer you have to plan and plant, the better. It may be that you need to do little more than think what is in bloom in the garden at the time you are holding the wedding. If you are having a marquee, whether at home or another venue, give your florist a floor plan showing the exits and with a layout of the table and dance-floor.

Candles are also wonderful and create a fantastic and intimate mood. They can be incorporated within the table centrepieces as well as other floral arrangements. They can also be placed in storm/huricane lanterns or night lights can be placed in pretty holders to stand alone or in groups on tables, staircases, on window ledges and up garden paths. However, check with your venue as fire regulations sometimes prohibit the use of candles.

Don't go overboard with other decorations at your reception. Simplicity is the key. Also be aware of looking too contemporary which can make it feel like a corporate event. Go for something that is elegant and timeless. But in the end just choose what you want! If you worry about every aspect you'll end up with something boring designed by default.